CIA Celebrates Black History Month

Director Brennan provides opening remarks

Last month, CIA Director John Brennan and Agency employees gathered for the Agency’s annual Black History Month celebration at CIA Headquarters.

“We at CIA join our fellow citizens in remembering the immeasurable sacrifice, strength, and courage of African Americans in building a more free and just society,” said Director Brennan in his opening remarks. “African Americans have long made critical contributions to our Agency’s mission, taking the risks and bearing the sacrifices that intelligence work often demands.” (Read more about the three African American CIA officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.)

Johnny Taylor Addresses Audience During Black History Month program

Johnny C. Taylor Jr., president and chief executive officer of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, provided the keynote address. In his remarks, he referenced the event’s theme of “honoring the past by paying it forward.”

“It happens to be that we’re celebrating Black History Month right now, but at the end of the day, every day is Black History Month,” Taylor said. “And it’s really important for us not to spend a lot of time focusing on the past, but you have to acknowledge the work that was done.”

Addressing Agency officers and senior leaders, Taylor said that greater diversity in the workplace is inevitable, but “the key is making that population feel included so that they become engaged, because that’s how organizations actually benefit from their diversity.”

Taylor closed by expressing his gratitude to the Agency. “On behalf of all of America, I thank the CIA for the work that you’re doing, the commitment that all of you have made to diversity and inclusion.”

Representatives from CIA’s African American employee resource groups presented Taylor with a certificate of appreciation before concluding the event.

To learn more about CIA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, visit the Diversity section of CIA.gov.